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{
    "id": 302605,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/302605/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 26,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Obure",
    "speaker_title": "The Minister for Public Works",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 118,
        "legal_name": "Christopher Mogere Obure",
        "slug": "christopher-obure"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. Your Excellency the President of the Republic of Kenya, hon. Mwai Kibaki, the Speaker of the National Assembly, hon. Kenneth Marende, the Vice-President and Minister for Home Affairs, hon. Kalonzo Musyoka, the Deputy Prime Minister, hon. Uhuru Kenyatta, honorouble Ministers and Assistant Ministers, hon. Members of the Parliamentary Service Commission, hon. Members of this Parliament, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, it is a great honour for me to stand here today in this historic moment on the occasion of the official opening of the newly refurbished and modernized debating Chamber for the National Assembly. We all owe much gratitude to the Government and the Eighth Parliament for their vision to modernize the Chamber in line with trends in modern parliaments. My Ministry is proud to be associated with the efforts that went into the refurbishment of the Parliament debating Chamber. Not only is it aimed at creating the right and proper atmosphere for debates but it also seeks to improve the Chamber’s sitting arrangement and enhance its friendliness to Members with disabilities. As you all know, the foundation stone for the National Assembly Chamber was laid down on 13th December, 1963 by His Royal Highness, Prince Phillip. The Chamber was completed and officially opened by His Excellency the founding President, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta on Tuesday, 2nd November, 1965. The design of that Chamber with a sitting capacity of 158 Members was based on the Westminster concept which is rectangular in shape but which unfortunately forced us to an adversarial sitting arrangement. Several decades later, it became necessary to refurbish and modernize the debating Chamber. An ad hoc Committee of the House chaired by hon. Kipruto arap Kirwa was appointed to oversee the implementation of the project. The objectives of the initiative were:- (1) To increase the sitting capacity to accommodate 300 Members of Parliament up from 158. (2) To provide innovative technical solutions for electronic voting, transmission and recording of deliberations in the Chamber through television and radio broadcast. (3) To mould the interior decor with appropriate artworks that reflect the national heritage and confer dignity befitting this important civic building. (4) To provide an internal environment of the highest standards for human safety and comfort. After the ad hoc Committee’s Report was adopted by the House, it was resolved that an appropriate design be developed through a design competition involving reputable prequalified firms. The winning design was submitted by a consortium led by K and M Archplans who were thereafter commissioned as consultants for the project. The redesigned Chamber has adopted the horseshoe concept which forced a better interaction between Members of the House and is less confrontational. The sitting arrangement rises up away from the centre to allow for better visual links among Members of Parliament and between Members of Parliament and the Speaker. Cabling for services has been laid in the space below the Members’ sitting areas. As the execution of the refurbishment works was underway, the country adopted a new Constitution heralding a new era for the august House. The Constitution adopted raises the Membership of the House. This appeared to pose a challenge but I am glad that the refurbished Chamber has a capacity to accommodate 350 Members. The main features of the refurbished Chamber include, among others, facilities allowing Members to vote electronically from their work stations in the Chamber, radio and television broadcasting facilities which will not only ensure live transmission from the debating Chamber but will also make it easier to store and retrieve records of the proceedings; an interior décor that improves sound quality and captures our national, cultural diversity and richness and an automatic fire suspension system to protect this major investment. The refurbishment of the Chamber commenced in April, 2010 and was completed in May this year within the contract price of Kshs950 million. These works were undertaken by local contractors led by Epco Builders Limited who accomplished the task in accordance with the specifications and standards stipulated. I am pleased to report that all the professionals, the contractor, the various sub-contractors and all categories of workers involved in this project are Kenyans."
}